Concussion, POTS, and Chiropractic

Concussion and whiplash injuries have an effect on every organ, cell, and tissue in the human body.  Current research on concussions is proving the theory that trauma to the neck during concussive injuries plays a role in post-concussive syndrome and therefore delays in healing are evident.  Finally, more attention is being given to these traumatic injuries and bringing forth necessary treatment options after concussions.
One of the side effects of a concussion can be postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).  POTS is an inappropriate response of the cardiovascular system during different postures, causing dramatic increase in heart rate, dramatic drop in blood pressure, which then results in fainting.  A 2016 medical research study followed 34 children who had been diagnosed with post concussive syndrome to determine if POTS was present.  Shockingly they found that 70% of the children showed signs and symptoms of POTS, as well as fainting.
Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate POTS by delivering gentle, specific manipulations to the head and neck, as well as full spinal adjustments.  The structure of the neck allows for nerves to flow through the spine and if injured in a concussive type of injury this misalignments can have negative effects.  A chiropractor specializes in the function of these nerves that cause POTS signs and symptoms to be present.  Who knew that a head injury can cause such changes in the cardiovascular system?!?!  Proving that the brain and spinal cord have control over every function in the human body.  When an injury occurs to the head and neck, it is crucial to restore proper nervous system functioning as soon as possible!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV



Heyer, G.L., Fischer, A., Wilson, J., Macdonald, J., Cribbs, S., Ravindran, R., ...Cuff, S. (2016) Orthostatic Intolerance and Autonomic Dysfunction in Youth With Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 26(1), 40-45. doi:10.1097/jsm.000000000000183